Coastal walks, Hastings-style

Next day the weather turned very gloomy but it didn't stop us going down to the beach to do a bit of rock-pooling.

The Hills 4 in action...

...Alfie their resident expert!

The gull was happy but the sea didn't look very inviting

Back at the caravan Alfie tucks into a 'seafood salad' (and yes, that is a baby octopus: not for me thank you)!

Later again Alfie & I venture out in the damp. This deckchair might be a little too big.

Over the railway line the tide was right up...

...but no sign of the wreck of the Amsterdam.

Rye

Friend Dick suggested we visit Rye whilst in the area, and we weren't disappointed.

In medieval times Rye lay on the channel coast, one of the Cinque Ports used for trade and defence 

Nowadays silting rivers have meant the town is a couple of miles away from the coast, but water is everywhere to be seen

These seagulls obviously delighted in being photographed from different angles!

Fascinating cladded buildings surrounded the old harbour

The Landgate is the last remaining of two gates built to defend Rye from invading forces

Back to Hastings and there's no escaping its famous battle...

...but there's always a welcoming drink back at the caravan.

Discovering Hastings

We said we would visit Hastings for a few years now, if only to see where son-in-law Simon's roots are and visit his family. Well, we were impressed...

It has a pebble beach but that his attractions too...

...especially when a Viking ship appears!

A fabulous view from the pier, with a somewhat threatening sky

Typical UK-style seaside houses, but this one had a very quirky exterior...

...as did this fish & chip shop.

In the old town there were some wonderful old buildings...

...and down by the harbour very special net-drying constructions, apparently normally just seen in Scandinavia.

My internet search gave me this info: “This anchor originally weighing 2 tons (approx) was believed lost during the time the English & French were at war, circa 1812. It was recovered from the sea bed southeast of Hastings on 8.8.1981 and brought ashore by old town divers and the fishing boats Royela and Daybreak”

We didn't take the funicular railway but it was very impressive

Quick trip to Blighty

With limited ferries/planes we decided to drive over to the UK to pick up Nadine & the children for their annual summer holiday here in La Tranche. Simon would drive over mid-August for his break and they'd all drive back at the end of the month. Well, that was the plan!

We had no option but to take the daytime crossing from Saint Malo to Portsmouth. It's a long journey in the daytime but a little nap in the compulsory (Covid) cabin helped pass the time.

The ferry was practically empty...

...and look where we were to disembark from the boat!

It's only a couple of hours from Portsmouth to Hastings, and someone was pleased to see us. Nadine, Simon and the kids had driven down the day before after booking a great Airbnb caravan.

Next morning these two monsters were vey excited that Mamie & Papy had appeared in the night. (I hope you like the Bet Lynch bed linen!)

It won't be long before Alfie overtakes Mamie in the height stakes.

Malestroit

Yes, we're visiting again: this time to check on 'Er from Brittany after her recent second hip operation. Obviously no photos of 'Er, but what a lovely place to convalesce...

...and a lovely place for a beer too!

Tine took an arty photo showing the church in my sunglasses

The real thing!

Walking on we came across le Canal de Nantes à Brest...

...with its locks...

...and beautiful reflections.

ps 'Er from Brittany's doing well, now at home. 

Bric-à-brac (or yet another odds & ends)!

The full summer season is well on its way now and Mamie & Papy take their turn looking after young Sacha. As you can see he's very hard to please.

When he turns up unexpectedly the first thing he does is get the play mat to go on the coffee table!

Mamie knitted the three grandchildren a 'Flop', a character from a BBC children's series

How's about a bit of drawing at the Starfish...

...or a play on the swing at La Paillote?

Monique & Jean took us to visit cousins Annie & Christian one Sunday. Here the three female cousins are pouring over Tine's genealogy findings.

Back to La Tranche and the albizia tree is in full flower...

...and as usual we left the last artichoke to flower. I think the bee appreciated it too!

Meanwhile Papy continues to count to 10,000 steps each day. And look, the council has resurfaced one of his main routes (it's not as quiet in full summer, I can assure you)!

I can't resist a good sea and cloud-scape. It looks like it's raining on l'Île de Ré.